Be Born Again

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

These are among the most stunning and consequential words ever spoken. Only Jesus is able to speak like this, for in Him alone can the Kingdom be seen. He presents Himself as the context in which everything and anything about God is to be understood, and it requires a literal and spiritual re-birth to even begin comprehending those things. Up until the coming of the Messiah, men saw spiritual things through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12) — but in Christ, we are able to see the Lord "face-to-face," and we can see Him in no other way. Has God presented the risen Christ to you? Have you received Him on those terms? Are you truly “born again?”

 

Christ cannot be packaged in any formal doctrine or presentation. Jesus did not come to establish a religion, a set of rules and requirements, a denomination, or a movement. He came to announce and establish the Kingdom of God, to save us from our sins, to make a way back to the Father, and that is exactly what He did. Nothing can be added to or taken away from Jesus, for the fullness and pleasure of God dwell in Him alone. He is God's Word, and the Word says a man must be born again or he cannot see or comprehend the things of God. Simply said, Christ is Christianity, and Christianity is Christ. That is the Kingdom, and those who receive this truth see it — "You must be born again."

 

Let’s Pray – Father, Jesus made it clear that I cannot earn my salvation. It is the gift of God, and I must be born again in the Spirit in order to receive it. Here I am, O Lord. Thank You for the new birth in Jesus Christ. Amen.